Clothes treating apparatus

ABSTRACT

A clothes treating apparatus includes a cabinet including first and second lateral panels facing each other, and upper and lower panels connecting the first and second lateral panels and respectively forming the top surface and the bottom surface. The cabinet includes a rear panel connecting the first and second lateral panels. The cabinet includes a first base comprising a front panel fixed to the first lateral panel, the second lateral panel, and the upper and lower panels to define the front surface, and an inlet extending through the front panel. The cabinet includes a first chamber positioned inside the cabinet, and communicating with the inlet to provide a space for receiving clothes. The cabinet includes a second base including a front frame positioned between the front and rear panels, an upper frame extending from the front frame towards the rear panel, and first and second lateral frames.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the National Phase of PCT International ApplicationNo. PCT/KR2019/009499, filed on Jul. 30, 2019, which claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/711,629,filed on Jul. 30, 2018. The entire contents of the above-referencedapplications are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a laundry treating apparatus.

BACKGROUND

In general, a laundry treating apparatus is configured to performvarious tasks related to laundry. The laundry treating apparatusconceptually includes a laundry washing machine for washing laundry, alaundry drying machine for drying wet laundry, and a refresher forremoving odors or wrinkles from laundry.

A conventional laundry treating apparatus is designed to include a drumproviding a space to accommodate laundry therein, a driving unitrotating the drum, and a supply unit supplying steam or hot-air to thedrum. In the laundry treating apparatus of the above structure, steam orhot-air must be supplied to the laundry while the drum is rotating.Thus, the laundry input to the drum is not in a stretched state, so thatwrinkles remain on the laundry.

To solve this problem, a conventional laundry treating apparatus isdesigned to include a cabinet, a first chamber disposed inside thecabinet to provide a space to accommodate laundry therein, a secondchamber disposed inside the cabinet to provide a space separate from thefirst chamber, and a supply unit that is disposed in the second chamberand supplies steam or hot-air to the first chamber.

The laundry treating apparatus (as disclosed in Korean patentapplication publication number 10-2011-0067833) comprising theabove-described structure allows the laundry to be maintained in astretched state inside the first chamber, thereby to solve the problemof the conventional apparatus that deodorization and wrinkle removal areperformed while the drum is rotated.

However, the conventional laundry treating apparatuses that supply steamand hot-air while the laundry is received in the first chamber have adisadvantage that the first chamber may not thermally insulated becausea separate insulating material is not disposed between the cabinet andthe first chamber. Thus, the conventional laundry treating apparatusesmay have low energy efficiency.

Further, in the conventional laundry treating apparatuses, the cabinet,the first chamber, and the second chamber are fixed to a frame disposedbetween the cabinet and the chambers. Thus, when the laundry treatingapparatus vibrates, the cabinet embodied as a metal plate amplifiesvibration and noise.

Further, the conventional laundry treating apparatuses have adisadvantage of requiring a separate member to reinforce a strength ofthe cabinet in order to minimize vibration or noise caused by thecabinet.

SUMMARY Technical Purpose

A purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a laundry treatingapparatus in which a thermal insulator is disposed in a space definedbetween a cabinet defining an appearance of the apparatus and a chamberproviding a space to accommodate laundry therein.

Further, a purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a laundrytreating apparatus in which the thermal insulator is embodied as a foamplastic inserted into the space defined between the cabinet and thechamber.

Further, a purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a laundrytreating apparatus comprising a fastening structure capable ofpreventing leakage of the foam plastic inserted into the space definedbetween the cabinet and the chamber into an inside of the chamber or outof the cabinet.

Further, a purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a laundrytreating apparatus in which a foam plastic is inserted into between thecabinet and the chamber to minimize vibration of the cabinet.

Technical Solution

The present disclosure provides a laundry treating apparatus including acabinet comprising a laundry inlet defined therein; a first chamberfixed to the cabinet to provide a space to accommodate therein laundry,wherein the space communicates with the laundry inlet; a second chamberfixed to the cabinet and located under the first chamber, wherein asecond chamber has a space defined therein separated from the firstchamber; a supply unit disposed inside the second chamber and configuredto supply at least one of air or steam to the first chamber; and athermal insulator inserted into a foam space defined between the cabinetand the first chamber, a foam space defined between the cabinet and thesecond chamber, and a foam space defined between the first chamber andthe second chamber. The thermal insulator may be embodied as a foamplastic. Thus, the apparatus according to the present disclosure mayminimize loss of heat energy supplied to the first chamber.

Further, the thermal insulator may be disposed in the foam spacesdefined between the cabinet, the first chamber, and the second chamber,thereby to minimize vibration of the cabinet or the chamber duringoperation of the supply unit.

The present disclosure provides a laundry treating apparatus comprising:a cabinet including: a first side panel and a second side panel oppositeto each other; a top panel and a bottom panel connecting the first sidepanel and the second side panel to each other and defining top andbottom surfaces of the cabinet, respectively; and a rear panelconnecting the first side panel and the second side panel to each otherand defining a rear surface of the cabinet; a first base including: afront panel fixed to the first side panel, the second side panel, thetop panel, and the bottom panel and defining a front surface of thecabinet; and a laundry inlet extending through the front panel; a firstchamber fixed to the front panel and disposed inside the cabinet,wherein the first chamber has a laundry receiving space defined thereincommunicating with the laundry inlet; a second base including: a frontframe disposed between the front panel and the rear panel; a top frameextending from the front frame toward the rear panel and spaced apartfrom a bottom surface of the first chamber; and a first side framespaced apart from the first side panel, and a second side frame spacedapart from the second side panel; a second chamber defined by the frontframe, the top frame, the first side frame, the second side frame, thebottom panel, and the rear panel; a supply unit disposed inside thesecond chamber to supply at least one of air or moisture to the firstchamber; a door rotatably coupled to the cabinet or the front panel toopen and close the laundry inlet; and a thermal insulator including afoam plastic inserted into a foam space defined between the cabinet, thefirst base, the first chamber, and the second base.

In one implementation, the foam space includes: a space defined betweenthe first chamber and the top panel; a space defined between the firstchamber and the first side panel; a space defined between the firstchamber and the second side panel; a space defined between the firstchamber and the rear panel; a space defined between the first chamberand the top frame; a space defined between the front panel and the frontframe; a space defined between the first side frame and the first sidepanel; and a space defined between the second side frame and the secondside panel.

In one implementation, the foam plastic includes one of polyurethane,polystyrene, and polyolefin.

In one implementation, the apparatus further comprises: a first chamberthrough-hole and a second chamber through-hole extending through thebottom surface of the first chamber; a first fixing hole and a secondfixing hole extending through the top frame; a first flow channeldefining portion connecting the first chamber through-hole and the firstfixing hole to each other; and a second flow channel defining portionconnecting the second chamber through-hole and the second fixing hole toeach other, wherein the supply unit includes: a circulation ductdisposed inside the second chamber to connect the first fixing hole andthe second fixing hole to each other; a first heat exchanger fordehumidifying air introduced into the circulation duct; a second heatexchanger disposed inside the circulation duct to heat air passingthrough the first heat exchanger; and a fan for moving air introducedinto the first fixing hole to the second fixing hole.

In one implementation, the first flow channel defining portion includes:a first flow channel body constructed to maintain a spacing between thebottom surface of the first chamber and the top frame; and a first bodythrough-hole extending through the first flow channel body andconnecting the first chamber through-hole and the first fixing hole toeach other, wherein the second flow channel defining portion includes: asecond flow channel body constructed to maintain a spacing between thebottom surface of the first chamber and the top frame; and a second bodythrough-hole extending through the second flow channel body andconnecting the second chamber through-hole and the second fixing hole toeach other.

In one implementation, the apparatus further comprises: a firstoutside-air intake hole defined below the laundry inlet, and extendingthrough the front panel; a second outside-air intake hole extendingthrough the front frame; an outside-air guide connecting the firstoutside-air intake hole and the second outside-air intake hole to eachother; and an outside-air duct connecting the second outside-air intakehole and the circulation duct to each other.

In one implementation, the circulation duct includes: an intake ductconnected to the first fixing hole; a discharge duct connected to thesecond fixing hole; a connection duct for guiding air introduced intothe intake duct and air supplied from the outside-air duct to thedischarge duct; a first valve for opening and closing the intake duct;and a second valve for opening and closing the outside-air duct.

In one implementation, the outside-air guide includes: a guide bodycomprising one end fixed to the front panel and the other end fixed tothe front frame to maintain a spacing between the front panel and thefront frame; and a guide through-hole extending through the guide bodyand connecting the first outside-air intake hole and the secondoutside-air intake hole to each other.

In one implementation, the apparatus further comprises: a receivinggroove recessed in the front panel toward the front frame; a secondchamber communication hole extending through the receiving groove; areceiving-groove communication hole extending through the front frameand connected to the second chamber communication hole; a drainage tankcomprising a water storage space defined therein and removably receivedin the receiving groove; a drainage tank through-hole extending throughthe drainage tank and communicating with the second chambercommunication hole; a first discharge pipe coupled to the drainage tankthrough-hole when the drainage tank is inserted into the receivinggroove, wherein the first discharge pipe is separated from the drainagetank through-hole when the drainage tank is withdrawn out of thereceiving groove; and a discharge pump for supplying condensate waterdischarged from the first heat exchanger to the first discharge pipe.

In one implementation, the apparatus further comprises: a chamberthrough-hole extending through the bottom surface of the first chamber;a supply pipe through-hole extending through the top frame, wherein thesupply unit includes: a steam generator installed inside the secondchamber to generate steam; a spray body comprising a spray hole definedtherein communicating with the chamber through-hole and a supply pipeinserted in the supply pipe through-hole; a connection pipe connectingthe steam generator and the supply pipe to each other.

In one implementation, the apparatus further comprises: a receivinggroove recessed in the front panel toward the front frame; a secondchamber communication hole communicating with the receiving groove; areceiving-groove communication hole extending through the front frame,and communicating with the second chamber communication hole; a watersupply tank comprising a water storage space defined therein andremovably received in the receiving groove; a water supply tankthrough-hole extending through the water supply tank and communicatingwith the second chamber communication hole; a first supply pipe coupledto the water supply tank through-hole when the water supply tank isinserted into the receiving groove, wherein the first supply pipe isseparated from the water supply tank through-hole when the water supplytank is withdrawn out of the receiving groove; and a supply pump formoving water introduced into the first supply pipe to a second supplypipe connected to the steam generator.

In one implementation, the apparatus further comprises: a control panelfixed to the door, wherein the control panel includes at least one of adisplay for displaying a control command or an input interface forreceiving a control command; a control unit disposed inside the secondchamber; a panel through-hole extending through the front panel; a framethrough-hole extending through the front frame; and a wire guide forconnecting the panel through-hole and the frame through-hole to eachother, wherein a wire connecting the control panel and the control unitto each other is inserted into the wire guide.

In one implementation, the apparatus further comprises: a control panelfixed to the door, wherein the control panel includes at least one of adisplay for displaying a control command or an input interface forreceiving a control command; a control unit disposed inside the secondchamber; a first hinge for connecting the door to a portion of the frontpanel disposed above the first chamber; a second hinge for connectingthe door to a portion of the front panel disposed below the firstchamber; a first first-hinge mounting portion and second first-hingemounting portion defined in a left top and a right top of the frontpanel, respectively; a first second-hinge mounting portion and a secondsecond-hinge mounting portion defined in a left bottom and a rightbottom of the front panel, respectively; a first panel through-holedefined below the first second-hinge mounting portion; a second panelthrough-hole defined below the second second-hinge mounting portion; afirst frame through-hole extending through the front frame; a secondframe through-hole extending through the front frame; a first wire guidefor connecting the first panel through-hole and the first framethrough-hole to each other, wherein a wire for connecting the controlpanel and the control unit to each other is inserted into the first wireguide; and a second wire guide for connecting the second panelthrough-hole and the second frame through-hole to each other, wherein awire for connecting the control panel and the control unit to each otheris inserted into the second wire guide.

In one implementation, the apparatus further comprises: a support framefixed to the top panel and disposed outside the first chamber; a firstsupport frame through-hole and a second support frame through-holeextending through the support frame; a first bar through-hole extendingthrough a top surface of the first chamber and disposed below the firstsupport frame through-hole; a second bar through-hole extending througha top surface of the first chamber and disposed below the second supportframe through-hole; a first support body comprising a pipe shape, andconnecting the first support frame through-hole and the first barthrough-hole to each other, and maintaining a spacing between thesupport frame and the first chamber; a second support body comprising apipe shape, and connecting the second support frame through-hole and thesecond bar through-hole to each other, and maintaining a spacing betweenthe support frame and the first chamber; a first connector comprisingone end fixed to the support frame, and the other end inserted into thefirst support body and disposed inside the first chamber; a secondconnector comprising one end fixed to the support frame, and the otherend inserted into the second support body and disposed inside the firstchamber; and a support bar comprising one end fixed to the firstconnector, and the other end fixed to the second connector andsupporting laundry.

In one implementation, the apparatus further comprises: a driving unitdisposed on the support frame to enable the support bar to reciprocatealong a width direction of the first chamber; a control unit disposedinside the second chamber; and a support frame guide disposed on thesupport frame to guide a wire connecting the driving unit and thecontrol unit to each other toward a space defined between the firstchamber and the cabinet.

In one implementation, the driving unit includes: a motor fixed to thesupport frame; a vibrator that repeats alternately a rotational movementof less than 90 degrees in a clockwise direction and a rotation of lessthan 90 degrees in a counterclockwise direction under operation of themotor; and a power transmission for converting a rotation motion of thevibrator into a reciprocating motion of the support bar.

In one implementation, the first connector includes a first connectionbar comprising a first free end rotatably coupled to the support frame,and located outside the first support frame through-hole and a secondfree end located inside the first chamber, wherein one end of thesupport bar is fixed to the second free end. The second connectorincludes a second connection bar comprising a first free end rotatablycoupled to the support frame, and located outside the second supportframe through-hole and a second free end located inside the firstchamber, wherein the other end of the support bar is fixed to the secondfree end. The power transmission includes a transmission bar constructedto connect the first free end of the first connection bar and the firstfree end of the second connection bar to each other, a slot defined inthe transmission bar and extending in a direction orthogonal to adirection of the reciprocation of the support bar, and a slot protrusiondisposed on the vibrator and inserted into the slot.

In one implementation, the bottom panel includes: a first bottom panelcomprising a front surface fixed to the front panel, a rear surfacefixed to the front frame, and both side surfaces fixed to the first sidepanel and the second side panel, respectively; a second bottom panelcomprising a front surface connected to a rear surface of the firstbottom panel, and both side surfaces fixed to the first side surface andthe second side surface, respectively, wherein the second bottom panelis disposed below the second base.

In one implementation, the apparatus further comprises: a first frontfastener disposed on the first side panel and facing toward the frontpanel; a second front fastener disposed on the second side panel andfacing toward the front panel; a front top-panel fastener disposed onthe top panel and facing toward the front panel; a front bottom-panelfastener disposed on the first bottom panel and facing toward the frontpanel; a first front-panel fastener disposed on an edge of the frontpanel and press-fitted with the first front fastener; a secondfront-panel fastener disposed on an edge of the front panel andpress-fitted with the second front fastener; a top front-panel fastenerdisposed on an edge of the front panel and press-fitted with the fronttop-panel fastener; and a bottom front-panel fastener disposed on anedge of the front panel and press-fitted with the front bottom-panelfastener.

In one implementation, the rear panel includes: a first rear panelcoupled to the first side panel, the second side panel, the top panel,and a rear surface of the top frame; and a second rear panel detachablycoupled to a rear surface of the first side frame and a rear surface ofthe second side frame, wherein the second rear panel is disposed belowthe first rear panel.

In one implementation, the apparatus further comprises: a rear top-panelfastener disposed on the top panel and facing toward the rear panel; afirst rear fastener and a first bottom fastener disposed on the firstside panel and facing toward the rear panel and the bottom panel,respectively; a second rear fastener and a second bottom fastenerdisposed on the second side panel and facing toward the rear panel andthe bottom panel, respectively; a top rear-panel fastener disposed on anedge of the first rear panel and press-fitted with the rear top-panelfastener; a first rear-panel fastener disposed on an edge of the firstrear panel and press-fitted with the first rear fastener; a secondrear-panel fastener disposed on an edge of the first rear panel andpress-fitted with the second rear fastener; a first frame rear fastenerdisposed in rear of the first side frame and press-fitted with the firstrear fastener; a first frame bottom fastener disposed below the firstside frame and press-fitted with the first bottom fastener; a secondframe rear fastener disposed in rear of the second side frame andpress-fitted with the second rear fastener; and a second frame bottomfastener disposed below the second side frame and press-fitted with thesecond bottom fastener.

In one implementation, the apparatus further comprises a foam plasticinlet extending through the first rear panel, wherein the foam plasticis injected through the foam plastic inlet.

In one implementation, the apparatus further comprises a gas dischargehole passing through the first rear panel to exhaust gas inside thecabinet, wherein a diameter of the gas discharge hole is smaller than adiameter of the foam plastic inlet.

Technical Effects

The present disclosure may include a laundry treating apparatus in whicha thermal insulator is disposed in a space defined between a cabinet anda chamber withing the cabinet that provides the space.

Further, the present disclosure may include the laundry treatingapparatus in which the thermal insulator may include a foam plasticinserted into the space defined between the cabinet and the chamber.

Further, the present disclosure may include the laundry treatingapparatus comprising a fastening structure capable of preventing leakageof the foam plastic inserted into the space defined between the cabinetand the chamber into an inside of the chamber and/or out of the cabinet.

Further, the present disclosure may include the laundry treatingapparatus in which the foam plastic is inserted into the space betweenthe cabinet and the chamber to minimize vibration of the cabinet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an example of a laundry treating apparatus according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows an example of an air supply unit included in a laundrytreating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a moisture supply unit included in a laundrytreating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show embodiments of a laundry support included in alaundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows one example of each of a cabinet, a first chamber definingstructure, and a second chamber defining structure included in a laundrytreating apparatus according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 , FIG. 8 , and FIG. 9 show embodiments of each of a top panel, afirst side panel, a second side panel, a bottom panel, and a rear panelconstituting a cabinet.

FIG. 10 , FIG. 11 , and FIG. 12 show one example of a first chamberdefining structure.

FIG. 13 shows one example of each of a support frame, a first supportbody, and a second support body included in a laundry treating apparatusaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 shows one example of a second chamber defining structure.

FIG. 15 , FIG. 16 , and FIG. 17 show embodiments of a coupling structureof a cabinet, a first chamber defining structure, and a second chamberdefining structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Aconfiguration or a control method of an apparatus to be described belowis only intended for describing an embodiment of the present disclosure,and is not intended to limit a scope of the present disclosure. The samereference numerals used herein represent the same elements.

As shown in FIG. 1 , a laundry treating apparatus according to thepresent disclosure 100 includes a cabinet 1 defining an appearance ofthe apparatus, and a first chamber 29 disposed inside the cabinet toprovide a space to accommodate laundry therein. As shown in FIG. 2 , asecond chamber 39 is disposed below the first chamber and defines aspace separated from the first chamber and is defined inside thecabinet. The second chamber 39 contains therein supplies 7 and 8configured to supply at least one of moisture and air to the firstchamber 29. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 illustrate a case where both an air supplyunit 7 and a moisture supply unit 8 are disposed in the second chamber39.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the air supply unit 7 may be configured to includea circulation duct 71, 72, and 74 disposed in the second chamber 39, aheat exchanger 77 that sequentially performs dehumidification andheating of air introduced into the circulation duct, and a watercollector 79 that discharges condensate water generated from the heatexchanger to an outside of the second chamber 39.

The circulation duct may be configured to include an intake duct 71constructed to communicate with the first chamber 29, a discharge duct72 constructed to communicate with the first chamber 29, and aconnection duct 74 connecting the intake duct and the discharge duct toeach other.

A fan 741 is disposed at the circulation duct to sequentially move airfrom the first chamber 29 along the intake duct, the connection duct,and the discharge duct. FIG. 2 shows an example where the fan 741 isinstalled at the connection duct 74.

The heat exchanger 77 may be embodied as any device as long as thedevice dehumidifies the air introduced into the intake duct 71, andheats the dehumidified air. FIG. 2 shows an example where the heatexchanger 77 is embodied as a heat pump.

In other words, the heat exchanger 77 in FIG. 2 may be configured toinclude a refrigerant pipe 777 that defines a circulation channel of therefrigerant, a first heat exchanger 771 that is fixed to the refrigerantpipe and is disposed inside the connection duct 74, a second heatexchanger 773 which is fixed to the refrigerant pipe and disposedbetween the first heat exchanger 771 and the fan 741, a compressor 775that allows the refrigerant to circulate between the two heat exchangers771 and 773 along the refrigerant pipe, and a pressure adjuster (notshown) that controls a pressure of the refrigerant pipe. The compressor775 and the pressure adjuster may be disposed outside the circulationduct 71, 72, and 74.

The first heat exchanger 771 may be embodied as an evaporator thattransfers heat of the air flowing into the intake duct 71 to therefrigerant to cool the air and evaporate the refrigerant. In this case,the moisture contained in the air will travel along a surface of thefirst heat exchanger 771 and be collected on a bottom surface of theconnection duct 74.

The second heat exchanger 773 may be embodied as a condenser thattransfers heat of the refrigerant that has passed through the compressor775 to the air that has passed through the first heat exchanger, therebyheating the air, and condensing the refrigerant.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the circulation duct 71, 72, and 74 and thecompressor 775 may be fixed to a receiving body 78 disposed inside thesecond chamber 39. The receiving body 78 may be configured to bewithdrawn out of the second chamber 39 when a portion 14 b of a rearpanel 14 defining a rear surface of the cabinet 1 is removed from thecabinet.

A user will be able to withdraw the air supply unit 7 out of the secondchamber by drawing the receiving body 78 out of the second chamber 39.Thus, the receiving body 78 may facilitate inspection of the air supplyunit 7. Further, the control unit 781 that controls various devicesdisposed in the laundry treating apparatus 100 including the heatexchanger 77 may also be disposed on the receiving body 78. In thiscase, the control unit 781 is preferably disposed at a position suchthat the control unit is exposed to an outside when the portion 14 b ofthe rear panel is separated from the cabinet 1.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the water collector 79 may be configured to includea drainage tank 791 disposed outside the second chamber 39 to provide aspace for storing water therein, a drainage tank through-hole passingthrough the drainage tank 791, a first discharge pipe 799 a insertedinto the drainage tank through-hole, a second discharge pipe 799 b whichdischarges condensate water discharged from the first heat exchanger 771to an outside of the circulation duct, and a discharge pump 799 whichmoves condensate water discharged into the second discharge pipe 799 bto the first discharge pipe 799 a.

The drainage tank 791 may be removably disposed on a front surface ofthe cabinet 1. In this case, a check valve 797 may be disposed at thedrainage tank through-hole. The check valve 797 is configured to allowthe first discharge pipe 799 a to be inserted into the drainage tankthrough-hole, but to prevent the water inside the drainage tank frombeing discharged through the drainage tank through-hole. Thus, when thedrainage tank 791 is coupled to a front surface of the cabinet, thecontrol unit 781 will be able to transfer the condensate water insidethe circulation duct to the drainage tank 791 through the discharge pump799.

A discharge hole 793 that discharges the condensate water stored in thedrainage tank 791 is defined in one surface of the drainage tank 791.FIG. 2 illustrates an example where the discharge hole 793 is defined ina top surface of the drainage tank. The discharge hole 793 may be openedand closed by a lid 795 detachably disposed on the drainage tank.

Furthermore, the air supply unit 7 may be configured to dehumidify airin an indoor space in which the laundry treating apparatus according tothe present disclosure 100 is installed. To this end, the air supplyunit 7 may further include am outside-air duct 76 that communicates thecirculation duct 71, 72, and 74 with an outside of the second chamber39, a first valve 711 that controls opening and closing of the intakeduct 71, and a second valve 761 that controls opening and closing of theoutside-air duct 76. The first valve 711 and the second valve 761 may beconfigured to open or close the corresponding ducts 71 and 76,respectively, under control of the control unit 781.

The moisture supply unit 8 included in the laundry treating apparatusaccording to the present disclosure may be configured to supply heatedwater vapor (steam) to the first chamber, and may be configured tosupply unheated water vapor (mist) to the first chamber. FIG. 3 shows anexample where the moisture supply unit 8 is configured to supply steamgenerated by heating the water to the first chamber.

That is, the moisture supply unit 8 may include a steam generator 81that is disposed in the second chamber 39 to generate steam, a steamsprayer 84 that discharges the steam supplied from the steam generatorto the first chamber 29, and a water supply unit 86 to supply water tothe steam generator.

The steam generator 81 may include a water storage 811 that provides aspace for storing water therein, and a heater 813 configured to heat thewater inside the water storage 811. The water storage 811 has a waterinlet 811 a through which water flows into the storage 811 and a steamdischarge hole 811 b that discharges steam inside the water storage 811.The water storage 811 may be fixed to the receiving body 78, and may befixed to the connection duct 74.

The steam sprayer 84 may include a spray body 841 comprising one endfixed to the bottom surface 297 of the first chamber, and the other endfixed to a top surface of the second chamber 39, a supply pipe 843 tosupply steam into the spray body 841, and a spray hole 847 thatdischarges steam in the spray body 841 into the first chamber 29. Inthis case, the supply pipe 843 may be connected to the steam dischargehole 811 b via a connection pipe 845.

When the circulation duct is detachably disposed in through-holes (holescommunicating with the first chamber) defined in the top surface of thesecond chamber 39, and when the connection pipe 845 is sufficientlylong, the user will be able to extend the receiving body 78 from thesecond chamber 39 to withdraw the air supply unit 7 and the moisturesupply unit 8 out of the second chamber.

The water supply unit 86 may be configured to include a water supplytank 861 disposed outside the second chamber 39, and a supply pump 869that supplies water stored inside the water supply tank 861 to the waterstorage 811.

The water supply tank 861 may be removably disposed on a front surfaceof the cabinet 1. In this case, the water supply tank 861 may include awater supply tank through-hole passing through the water supply tank anda check valve 867 for opening and closing the water supply tankthrough-hole. The water supply unit 86 may be configured to include afirst supply pipe 869 a inserted into the water supply tankthrough-hole, a second supply pipe 869 b connected to the water inlet811 a, and a supply pump 869 to move water flowing into the first supplypipe 869 a to the second supply pipe 869 b.

The check valve 867 is configured to open the water supply tankthrough-hole only when the first supply pipe 869 a is inserted into thewater supply tank through-hole. Thus, when the water supply tank 861 iscoupled to the front surface of the cabinet, the control unit 781 willbe able to supply water to the water storage 811 through the supply pump869.

A water supply hole 863 is defined in one surface of the water supplytank 861. FIG. 3 shows an example where the water supply hole 863 isdefined in a top surface of the water supply tank. The water supply hole863 may be opened and closed by a lid 865 that is detachably disposed onthe water supply tank.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the first chamber 29 may receive a laundry supportto support laundry. The laundry support may be configured to include atleast one of a first support 6 a and a second support 6 b.

The first support 6 a may include a support plate detachably coupled tothe second chamber 29, and a support plate through-hole constructed toextend through the support plate. The second support 6 b may include asupport bar 66 on which a hook H2 of a hanger H1 is detachablysupported, a first connector 62 and a second connector 64 for connectingboth ends of the support bar 66 to a top surface of the first chamber29, respectively, and a driving unit 67, 68, and 69 to move the supportbar 66 along a width direction (X-axis direction) of the first chamber29.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the second support 6 b may be fixed to a supportframe 61 that is disposed fixedly between the top surface of the cabinet1 and the top surface of the first chamber 29. As shown in FIG. 4 , thesupport frame 61 may include a first support frame through-hole 611 anda second support frame through-hole 613 spaced apart from each otheralong a width direction (X-axis direction) of the first chamber. In thiscase, the first connector 62 is installed in the first support framethrough-hole 611. The second connector 64 is installed in the secondsupport frame through-hole 613. That is, the first connector 62 may beembodied as a first connection bar 623 inserted into the first supportframe through-hole 611 and fixed to the support frame 61. The secondconnector 64 may be embodied as a second connection bar 643 insertedinto the second support frame through-hole 613 and fixed to the supportframe 61.

The first connection bar 623 may be rotatably coupled to a first fixedportion 621 fixed to the first support frame through-hole 611. Thesecond connection bar 643 may be rotatably coupled to a second fixedportion 641 fixed to the second support frame through-hole 613.

In order that a bottom of the first connection bar 623 is disposedinside the first chamber 29, and a top of the first connection bar 623is disposed above the support frame 61, the first fixed portion 621 mayinclude a column shape with open top and bottom surfaces.

Similarly, in order that a bottom of the second connection bar 643 isdisposed inside the first chamber 29, and a top of the second connectionbar 643 is positioned above the support frame 61, the second fixedportion 641 may include a column shape with open top and bottomsurfaces.

The support bar 66 may include one end fixed to a bottom of the firstconnection bar 623, and the other end fixed to a bottom of the secondconnection bar 643. The support bar 66 may include a hanger groove 661defined therein in which a hook H2 of the hanger is detachablyaccommodated.

The driving unit 67, 68, and 69 may be configured to include a motor 67fixed to the support frame 61, a vibrator 68 that performs alternatelyand repeatedly less than 90 degrees clockwise rotation and less than 90degrees counterclockwise rotation via the motor 67, and a powertransmission 69 that converts a rotation motion of the vibrator 68 intoa reciprocating motion of the support bar.

The vibrator 68 includes a first casing 681 disposed above the motor 67,and a second casing 682 and a third casing 683 disposed on oppositesides of the first casing 681, respectively, and fixed to the firstcasing 681. As shown in (a) in FIG. 5 , the first casing 681 receivestherein a driving gear 684 a rotated by a rotation shaft 671 of themotor, and a first driven gear 684 b and a second driven gear 684 crespectively disposed on opposite sides of the driving gear.

A first vibration body is disposed inside the second casing 682. Asecond vibration body is disposed inside the third casing 683.

The first vibration body may be configured to include a first gear 685that is disposed inside the second casing 682 and is rotated by thefirst driven gear 684 b, and a first weight 686 fixed to the first gear685. Likewise, the second vibration body may be configured to include asecond gear 687 that is disposed inside the third casing 683 and isrotated by the second driven gear 684 c, and a second weight 688 fixedto the second gear 687. The first weight 686 may refer to means forpositioning a center of gravity of the first gear 685 at a positionbetween a center of rotation of the first gear 685 and an edge of thefirst gear. The second weight 688 may refer to means for positioning acenter of gravity of the second gear 687 at a position between a centerof rotation of the second gear 687 and an edge of the second gear.

FIG. 5 shows an example where each of the first weight 686 and thesecond weight 688 has a semicircular shape. In this case, the firstweight 686 and the second weight 688 should be arranged to be spacedapart from each other by 180 degrees. That is, when the first weight 686may be fixed to the first gear 685 so as to surface toward a +X axis,while the second weight 688 may be fixed to the second gear 687 so as tosurface toward a −X axis.

The power transmission 69 may include a transmission bar 691 disposedabove the first casing 681 of the vibrator and connecting the firstconnection bar 623 and the second connection bar 643 to each other, aslot 693 defined in the transmission bar 691, and a slot protrusion 695protruding from the first casing 681 and inserted in the slot 693. Theslot 693 may extend along a Z-axis direction orthogonal to a movementdirection of the support bar 66. A length of the slot 693 may be set tobe equal to a displacement in the Z-axis direction of the slotprotrusion 695, or may be set to be larger than the displacement in theZ-axis direction of the slot protrusion 695.

As shown in (b) in FIG. 5 , in the second support 6 b with theabove-described structure, when the rotation shaft 671 of the motorrotates counterclockwise, the first weight 686 and the second weight 688are also rotated counterclockwise via the gears 684 a, 684 b, 684 c,685, and 687. The first weight 686 and the second weight 688 are alwaysoriented to surface toward opposite directions. Thus, when the drivinggear 684 a rotates, the first casing 681 repeats alternately a less than90 degrees clockwise rotation and a less than 90 degreescounterclockwise rotation. When the first casing 681 repeats alternatelythe less than 90 degrees clockwise rotation and the less than 90 degreescounterclockwise rotation, the slot protrusion 695 protruding from thefirst casing may reciprocate along a arc.

In one example, the length of the slot 693 is set to be larger than theZ-axis displacement of the slot protrusion 695, the transmission bar 691will reciprocate along the X-axis direction orthogonal to a longitudinaldirection of the slot 693. Because the support bar 66 disposed insidethe first chamber 29 is connected to the transmission bar 691 via thefirst connection bar 623 and second connection bar 643, the support bar66 will reciprocate along a width direction of the first chamber. Thus,the apparatus according to the present disclosure may shake the laundryinside the first chamber 29, and thus, dirt on the laundry may beseparated from the laundry. Further, when moisture is supplied to thefirst chamber 29 while shaking the laundry, wrinkles on the laundry maybe removed more effectively.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the cabinet 1 includes a cabinet body 11 definingtop surface and both side surfaces. The cabinet body 11 includes a toppanel 111 defining a top surface of the laundry treating apparatus 100,and a first side panel 112 and a second side panel 113 respectivelydefining left and right sides of the laundry treating apparatus. The toppanel 111, the first side panel 112 and the second side panel 113 may beintegrated with each other or may be assembled with each other to definea single cabinet body 11. FIG. 6 illustrates one example where the toppanel, the first side panel, and the second side panel are integratedwith each other.

The cabinet 1 includes a bottom panel 16 which defines a bottom surfaceof the laundry treating apparatus 100 and which is coupled to thecabinet body 11, and a rear panel 14 which defines a rear surface of thelaundry treating apparatus 100 and is coupled to the cabinet body 11.

The cabinet 1 receives therein a first chamber defining structure 2defining the first chamber 29 and a second chamber defining structure 3defining the second chamber 39.

The first chamber defining structure 2 includes a first base 21 fixed tothe cabinet 1 and positioned on a front surface of the cabinet, alaundry inlet 22 extending through the first base and communicating withthe second chamber 29, a tank receiving portion 23 disposed below thelaundry inlet to provide a space to accommodate therein the drainagetank 791 and the water supply tank 861, and a first outside-air intakehole 24 defined below the tank receiving portion and connected to theoutside-air duct 76.

The second chamber defining structure 3 may include a second base 31,32, and 34 and 36 defining the second chamber 39 under the first chamber29. In other words, the second base may include a front frame 32disposed between the first base 21 and the rear panel 14, a top frame 31extending from the front frame 32 toward the panel 14 and spaced from abottom surface of the first chamber 29, a first side frame 34 fixed tothe two frames 31 and 32 and spaced apart from the first side panel 112,and a second side frame 36 fixed to the two frames 31 and 32 and spacedapart from the second side panel 113. In this case, the second chamber39 will be defined by the front frame 32, the top frame 31, the firstside frame 34, the second side frame 34, the bottom panel 16, and therear panel 14.

The rear panel 14 may include a first rear panel 14 a that defines anupper rear surface of the cabinet, and a second rear panel 14 b that isdisposed under the first rear panel and defines a lower rear surface ofthe cabinet. The first rear panel 14 a may be constructed to be disposedin rear of the first chamber 29. The second rear panel 14 b may beconstructed to define a rear surface of the second chamber 39.

The bottom panel 16 may be configured to include a first bottom panel 16a on which legs 18 and 19 are supported, and a second bottom panel 16 bconnected to the first bottom panel 16 a.

The first bottom panel 16 a may include a front surface fixed to thefirst base 21, a rear surface fixed to the front frame 32 of the secondbase, and both side surfaces respectively fixed to a bottom of the firstside panel 112 and a bottom of the second side panel 113. Thus, thefirst bottom panel 16 a may maintain a spacing between the front panel211 and the front frame 32.

The second bottom panel 16 b may be disposed below the second base 31,32, 34, and 36, and may include a front surface connected to a rearsurface of the first bottom panel 16 a, and both side surfaces fixed toa bottom surface of the first side frame 34 and a bottom surface of thesecond side frame, respectively. However, both side surfaces of thesecond bottom panel 16 b may be configured to be fixed to the first sidepanel 112 and the second side panel 113, respectively.

A first leg 18 and a second leg 19 installed on a bottom surface of anindoor room for supporting the laundry treating apparatus 100 are fixedto the first bottom panel 16 a. Rollers 168 that facilitate movement ofthe laundry treating apparatus may be disposed on the second bottompanel 16 b. In this case, the second chamber 39 will be defined by thefront frame 32, the top frame 31, the first side frame 34, the secondside frame 34, the second bottom panel 16 b, and the second rear panel14 b.

The first leg 18 and the second leg 19 may be embodied as a structurecapable of adjusting a spacing between a bottom surface of aninstallation space where the laundry treating apparatus is installed andthe first bottom panel 16 a. A communication hole 142 may be defined inthe rear panel 14 b to communicate an inside of the second chamber 39with an outside thereof.

As shown in FIG. 7 , a front top-panel fastener 114, a first frontfastener 116 a, and second front fastener 118 a may be disposed in frontof the top panel 111, in front of the first side panel 112, and in frontof the second side panel 113, respectively. A top of the first base 21,and both sides thereof may be coupled to the cabinet 1 via the fronttop-panel fastener 114, the first front fastener 116 a, and the secondfront fastener 118 a, respectively.

A rear top-panel fastener 115, a first rear fastener 116 b, and a secondrear fastener 118 b may be disposed in rear of the top panel 111, inrear of the first side panel 112, and in rear of the second side panel113, respectively. As shown in FIG. 8 , the first rear panel 14 a has atop rear-panel fastener 145 coupling to the rear top-panel fastener 115,a first rear-panel fastener 147 coupling to the first rear fastener 116b, and a second rear-panel fastener 149 coupling to the second rearfastener 118 b. In one example, a bottom of the first rear panel 14 a isfixed to a rear surface of the top frame 31 constituting the secondchamber defining structure via a bottom rear-panel fastener 148.

In one example, rear surfaces 343 and 363 of the second base 31, 32, 33,and 34 may be fixed to the cabinet 1 via the first rear fastener 116 b,and the second rear fastener 118 b. The second rear panel 14 b may beremovably coupled to the rear surfaces 343 and 363 of the second basevia a base fastener 146. One example of the base fastener 146 may be abolt that secures the second rear panel 14 b to the rear surfaces 343and 363 of the second base.

As shown in FIG. 9 , a first bottom fastener 116 c and a second bottomfastener 118 c may be disposed on a bottom of the first side panel 112and a bottom of the second side panel 113, respectively. Bottom surfaces347 and 367 of the first bottom panel 16 a and the second base may besecured to the cabinet via the first bottom fastener 116 c and secondbottom fastener 118 c, respectively.

That is, the first bottom panel 16 a includes a panel body 161, a frontbottom-panel fastener 162 disposed on a front surface of the panel body161 and coupled to a bottom of the first base 21, a front frame fastener165 which is disposed on a rear surface of the panel body 161 and fixedto the front frame 32 of the second chamber defining structure, a firstbottom-panel fastener 167 disposed on one side surface of the panel body161 and coupling to the first bottom fastener 116 c, and a secondbottom-panel fastener 169 disposed on an opposite side surface of thepanel body 161 and coupling to the second bottom fastener 118 c.

One end of the second bottom panel 16 b may be connected to a panelconnector 163 disposed on the panel body 161. The panel connector 163may include a protruding plate protruding from a bottom surface of thepanel body 161 and providing a space for receiving therein a front endof the second bottom panel 16 b.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the first chamber defining structure 2 includesthe first base 21 which is fixed to the cabinet 1 and disposed in frontof the cabinet, the second chamber 29 which is fixed to the first baseand provides a space to accommodate therein laundry, the laundry inlet22 which extends through the first base and communicates with the secondchamber 29, and the tank receiving portion 23 disposed on the first baseand disposed below the laundry inlet, and the first outside-air intakehole 24 defined below the tank receiving portion 23 and communicatingwith the outside-air duct 76

The first base 21 may include the front panel 211 defining the frontsurface of the cabinet 1, and a top front-panel fastener 213, a firstfront-panel fastener 215, a second front-panel fastener 217 and a bottomfront-panel fastener 219 which are arranged along an edge of the frontpanel.

The top front-panel fastener 213 is coupled to the front top-panelfastener 114. The first front-panel fastener 215 is coupled to the firstfront fastener 116 a of the cabinet. The second front-panel fastener 217is coupled to the second front fastener 118 a of the cabinet. The bottomfront-panel fastener 219 is coupled to the front bottom-panel fastener162.

The laundry inlet 22 may be embodied as a through-hole passing throughthe front panel 211. As shown in FIG. 7 , the second chamber 29 mayinclude a chamber top surface 291 that is fixed to the front panel 211and disposed at a top of the laundry inlet 22, a chamber bottom surface297 which is fixed to the front panel 211 and disposed at a bottom ofthe laundry inlet 22, a first chamber side surface 293 and a secondchamber side surface 295 which are fixed to the front panel 211 andconnect the chamber top surface and chamber bottom surface to eachother, and a chamber rear surface 298 fixed to the four surfaces 291,293, 295, and 297.

The chamber top surface 291 may include a first bar through-hole 291 ainto which the first connection bar 623 of the second support 6 b isinserted, and a second bar through-hole 291 b into which the secondconnection bar 643 thereof is inserted. Further, the chamber top surface291 may include a lamp insertion hole 291 c through which a lamp 299configured to illuminate the inside of the first chamber 29 is inserted.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the chamber bottom surface 297 may include a firstchamber through-hole 297 a, a second chamber through-hole 297 b, and athird chamber through-hole 297 c.

The first chamber through-hole 297 a may refer to means for supplyingthe air inside the first chamber 29 to the intake duct 71 disposed inthe second chamber 39. The second chamber through-hole 297 b may referto means of introducing air discharged from the discharge duct 72disposed in the second chamber 39 into the first chamber 29. The thirdchamber through-hole 297 c may refer to a space where a top surface ofthe spray body 841 is fixedly disposed. Steam exiting the spray hole 847may be supplied to the first chamber 29 through the third chamberthrough-hole 297 c.

The tank receiving portion 23 disposed under the laundry inlet 22 mayinclude a receiving groove 231 embodied as a groove defined concavelyinto a surface of the front panel 211 toward the second chamber definingstructure 3. The receiving groove 231 provides a space in which thedrainage tank 761 and the water supply tank 861 are removablyaccommodated.

The receiving groove 231 may include a second chamber communication hole233 constructed to communicate with the second chamber 39. The firstdischarge pipe 799 a of the air supply unit and the first supply pipe869 a of the moisture supply unit may be respectively coupled to thetanks 791 and 861 through the second chamber communication hole 233.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the second chamber communication hole 233 may beopened and closed by a communication hole cover 235 that is detachablycoupled to the front panel 211. In this case, the first discharge pipe799 a and the first supply pipe 869 a should be constructed to extendthrough the communication hole cover 235.

The laundry inlet 22 and the tank receiving portion 23 may be configuredto be opened and closed by a door 4 rotatably coupled to at least one ofthe first base 21 or the cabinet 1.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the door 4 is configured to open or close thelaundry inlet 22 and the tank receiving portion 23 at the same time. Tothis end, the door 4 may include a door body 41 embodied as a structureof a shape corresponding to a shape of the front surface of the cabinet1. The door body 41 may be rotatably fixed to the cabinet 1 or the firstbase 21 via a first hinge 52 and a second hinge 58.

FIG. 6 shows one example where the first hinge 52 and the second hinge58 secure the door body 41 to the first base 21. In this case, the firsthinge 52 may be disposed at a top of the laundry inlet 22, while thesecond hinge 58 may be disposed at a bottom of the tank receivingportion 23.

The door 4 may further include a control panel 43 that is fixed to thedoor body 41. The control panel 43 may include an input interface 433,435, and 437 for receiving a control command from a user, and a display431 displaying a control command selectable by the user and an executionprocess of a control command selected by the user. The input interfacemay include a first input interface 433 that allows the user to instructsupply of power to the laundry treating apparatus 100, a second inputinterface 435 that receives a control command from the user, and a thirdinput interface 437 that receives an initiation command of the controlcommand selected via the second input interface.

As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 , the control panel 43 is connected to thecontrol unit 781 installed in the second chamber 39 via a first wire.The first wire may include a control panel connection wire L13 connectedto the control panel 43, and a first control wire L11 connecting thecontrol unit 781 and the control panel connection wire L13 to eachother. To ensure ease of assembly, the control panel connection wire L13and the first control wire L11 may be attachable to or detachable fromeach other.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the first hinge 52 and the second hinge 58 may bedisposed on a right top and a right bottom of the front panel 211,respectively, so that the door body 41 may be configured to rotate viathe rotation shaft disposed on a right side of the front panel.Alternatively, the first hinge 52 and the second hinge 58 may bedisposed on a left top and a left bottom of the front panel 211,respectively, so that the door body 41 may be configured to rotate viathe rotation shaft disposed on a left side of the front panel.

To this end, as shown in FIG. 10 , the front panel 211 may include afirst mounting portion 26 that provides a space in which the first hinge52 is installed, and a second mounting portion 27 that provides a spacein which the second hinge 58 is installed.

The first mounting portion 26 may include a groove defined concavelyinto the front panel 221 disposed above the laundry inlet 22 toward therear panel 14. The second mounting portion 27 may include a groovedefined concavely into the front panel 221 positioned under thereceiving groove 231 toward the rear panel 14.

A first first-hinge mounting portion 261 may be disposed on a left sideof the first mounting portion 26. A second first-hinge mounting portion263 may be disposed on a right of the first mounting portion 26. Thefirst hinge 52 may be configured to include a first hinge body 521 fixedto the first mounting portion 26, and a rotation shaft 523 coupling thedoor body to the first hinge body 521. The first hinge body 521 issymmetrical with respect to a horizontal line (a straight line X1parallel to the X-axis) passing through a center of the first hinge.This is intended to ensure that the first hinge body 521 may be fixed toany one of the first first-hinge mounting portion 261 and the secondfirst-hinge mounting portion 263.

A first second-hinge mounting portion 271 is disposed on a left side ofthe second mounting portion 27. A second second-hinge mounting portion273 is disposed on a right side of the second mounting portion 27. Asshown in FIG. 9 , the second hinge 58 may be configured to include asecond hinge body 581 that is fixed to the second mounting portion 27,and a rotation shaft 583 that couples the door body to the second hingebody 581. The second hinge body 583 is also preferably embodied toinclude a symmetrical shape with respect to a horizontal line X2 passingthrough a center of the second hinge.

According to the present disclosure, the first hinge 52 is fixedlydisposed in a top space of the front panel 211. Thus, as a load on thedoor body 41 increases, risk of damage to the front panel 211 increases.Thus, to prevent the damage to the front panel 211 due to the load ofthe door body 41, the apparatus according to the present disclosure mayfurther include a first hinge bracket 51 supporting the first hinge anda second hinge bracket 54 and 56 supporting the second hinge.

The first hinge bracket 51 may include a bracket body 511 that is fixedto the front panel 211 and disposed inside the cabinet 1, firstreceiving means 515 that is disposed on the bracket body to provide aspace to accommodate therein the first first-hinge mounting portion 261,and second receiving means 517 disposed on the bracket body to provide aspace for accommodating therein the second first-hinge mounting portion263.

Each of the first receiving means 515 and the second receiving means 517may include or may be embodied as a groove defined concavely in asurface of the bracket body 511 in a direction away from the firstmounting portion 26.

The bracket body 511 may be secured to the first mounting portion 26 viaa first hinge fixing bolt (not shown) that secures the first hinge 52 tothe first mounting portion 26. That is, the first hinge fixing boltextends through the first hinge 52 and the first mounting portion 26 andis fixed to the bracket body 511.

To facilitate coupling between the bracket body 511 and the firstmounting portion 26, a first position-fixing portion 265 may be disposedon the first mounting portion 26, and a second position-fixing portion513 fastened to the first position-fixing portion 265 may be disposed onthe bracket body 511.

In one example, the first position-fixing portion 265 may be embodied asa protrusion protruding from the first mounting portion 26 toward thebracket body 511, while the second position-fixing portion 513 may beembodied as a through-hole defined in the bracket body 511 and intowhich the first position-fixing portion is inserted.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the second hinge bracket 54 and 56 may include afirst second-hinge bracket 54 connecting the first second-hinge mountingportion 271 and the first bottom panel 16 a to each other, and a secondsecond-hinge bracket 56 a connecting the second second-hinge mountingportion 273 and the first bottom panel 16 a to each other.

The second second-hinge bracket 56 may be configured to include a secondfront-panel fixing plate 561 which is fixed to the front panel 211 anddisposed between the second second-hinge mounting portion 273 and thefront frame 32, and a second bottom-panel fixing plate 563 connectingthe panel body 161 to the second front-panel fixing plate 561 Likewise,the first second-hinge bracket 54 may be configured to include a firstfront-panel fixing plate 541 which is fixed to the front panel 211 andpositioned between the first second-hinge mounting portion 271 and frontframe 32, and a first bottom-panel fixing plate 543 connecting the firstfront-panel fixing plate 441 and the panel body 161 to each other. Thesecond hinge 58 may be fixed to the first front-panel fixing plate 541via a second hinge fixing bolt (not shown) or may be fixed to the secondfront-panel fixing plate 561 via a second hinge fixing bolt (not shown).

When the second hinge bracket is disposed, the first leg 18 may extendthrough the panel body 161 and may be fixed to the first bottom-panelfixing plate 543, while the second leg 19 may extend through the panelbody 161 and be fixed to the second bottom-panel fixing plate 563.

As shown in FIG. 11 , the laundry treating apparatus according to thepresent disclosure 100 may further include a first receiving-portioncover 267 that is detachably coupled to the first mounting portion 26.

The first receiving-portion cover 267 may include a first cover body 267a which is detachably disposed on the first mounting portion 26 toprevent the first first-hinge mounting portion 261 and the secondfirst-hinge mounting portion 263 from being exposed to an outside, and afirst hinge through-hole 267 b which extends through the first coverbody 267 a and into which the first hinge 52 is inserted.

Since the first hinge 52 may be fixed to any one of the firstfirst-hinge mounting portion 261 and the second first-hinge mountingportion 263, each of the first cover body 267 a and the first hingethrough-hole 267 b should be embodied to include a symmetrical shapewith respect to a horizontal line passing through a center of the firstcover body 267 a and a center of the first hinge through-hole 267 b.

The first cover body 267 a may be secured to the first mounting portion26 via a first cover fastener. The first cover fastener may include afastening protrusion 267 d disposed on one of the first mounting portion26 and the first cover body 267 a, and a fastening groove 267 c which isdefined in the other of the first mounting portion 26 and the firstcover body 267 a and into which the fastening protrusion is inserted.The fastening protrusion 267 d may include a shape such that theprotrusion 267 d is press-fitted into the fastening groove 267 c.

To removably couple the door body 41 to the first cover body 267 a, thelaundry treating apparatus according to the present disclosure 100 mayfurther include a first cover magnet 267 e disposed on the firstreceiving-portion cover 267, and a first door magnetic body 411 (seeFIG. 1 ) disposed on the door body 41. The first cover body 267 a may beembodied as a magnetic body made of a metal. The first door magneticbody 411 may include a permanent magnet or a metal as positioned in aregion of the door body 41 onto which the first cover magnet 267 eprojects.

As shown in FIG. 12 , the second receiving-portion cover 277 may bedisposed on the second mounting portion 27. The second receiving-portioncover 277 may include a second cover body 277 a which is detachablydisposed on the second mounting portion 271 to prevent the firstsecond-hinge mounting portion 271 and the second second-hinge mountingportion 273 from being exposed to the outside, and a second hingethrough-hole 277 b which extends through the second cover body 277 a andinto which the second hinge 58 is inserted.

The second cover body 277 a may be secured to the second mountingportion 27 via a second cover fastener. The second cover fastener mayinclude a fastening protrusion 277 d disposed on one of the secondmounting portion 27 and the second cover body 277 a, and a fasteninggroove 277 c defined in the other of the second mounting portion 27 andthe second cover body 277 a so that the fastening protrusion 277 d isforcibly fitted into the groove 277 c.

In one example, the second mounting portion 27 has an outside-air firstintake hole 24 that supplies outside-air to the circulation duct. Thus,the second receiving-portion cover 277 may include a cover through-hole279 that extends through the second cover body 277 a and communicateswith the first outside-air intake hole 24.

Although not shown in the drawing, each of the second cover body 277 aand the second hinge through-hole 277 b may include a symmetrical shapewith respect to the horizontal line passing through a center of thesecond cover body 277 a, a center of the cover through-hole 279, and acenter of the second hinge through-hole 277 b.

A third receiving portion 28, and a third receiving-portion cover 281fixed to the third receiving portion 28 may be further disposed in aspaced defined by the front panel 211 and between the laundry inlet 22and the tank receiving portion 23.

The third receiving portion 28 may be embodied as a groove definedconcavely in the front panel 211. The third receiving-portion cover 281may include a third cover body 281 a that is forcibly fitted into thethird receiving portion 28. That is, the third cover body 281 a may besecured to the third receiving portion 28 via a third cover fastenerembodied as a fastening protrusion 281 c that is forcibly fitted intothe fastening groove 281 b. The fastening groove 281 b may be defined inone of the third cover body 281 a and the third receiving portion 28,and the fastening protrusion 281 c may protrude on the other of thethird cover body 281 a and the third receiving portion 28.

To couple the door body 41 detachably to the third receiving-portioncover 281, an apparatus according to the present disclosure may furtherinclude a third cover magnet 281 d fixed to the third cover body 281 a,and a second door magnetic body 413 (see FIG. 1 ) disposed on the doorbody 41. The third cover body 281 a may be embodied as a magnetic bodymade of metal. The second door magnetic body 413 may include a permanentmagnet or a metal positioned in a region of the door body 41 onto thethird cover magnet 281 d is projected.

As shown in FIG. 13 , the support frame 61 may be fixed to the cabinet 1via a through-hole 111 a extending through the top panel 111, the firstsupport body 91 and the second support body 92.

The through-hole 111 a may include any shape as long as the hole 111 asupports an edge of the support frame 61. The support frame 61 may besecured to the cabinet 1 via a fastener such as a bolt that extendsthrough the support frame and is secured to the top panel 111.

The first support body 91 may be embodied as a pipe connecting the firstsupport frame through-hole 611 extending through the support frame 61and the first bar through-hole 291 a defined in the top surface 291 ofthe first chamber to each other. The second support body 92 may beembodied as a pipe connecting the second support frame through-hole 613and the second bar through-hole 291 b to each other. Therefore, thefirst connection bar 623 and the second connection bar 643 may beinserted into the body through-holes defined in the first support body91 and the second support body 92, respectively, so that one end thereofmay be exposed to the first chamber 29, and the other end thereof may bedisposed above the support frame 61. Further, a spacing between thesupport frame 61 and the first chamber top surface 291 will bemaintained via the first support body 91 and the second support body 92.

In one example, the support frame 61 may further include a support frameguide 615 that guides a second wire connecting the motor 67 disposed onthe second support and the control unit 781 to each other to a spacedefined between the first chamber 29 and the cabinet 1. The second wiremay include a driving unit connection wire L33 disposed at the motor 67and a second control wire L31 connected to the control unit 781 anddisposed in the second chamber.

Furthermore, a support frame through-hole through which the lampconnection wire L53 disposed at the lamp 299 passes may be furtherdefined in the support frame 61. The lamp connection wire L53 isconnected to a third control wire L51 connected to the control unit 781.In this case, the support frame guide 615 would act as means for guidingthe second wire L31 and L33 and third wire L51 and L53 to a spacedefined between the first chamber 29 and the cabinet 1.

FIG. 14 shows one example of the second chamber defining structure 3included in a laundry treating apparatus according to the presentdisclosure. As shown in FIG. 14 , the front panel 211 has areceiving-groove communication hole 321 communicating with a secondchamber communication hole 233 defined in the tank receiving portion.When the receiving groove 231 is inserted into the receiving-groovecommunication hole 321, the second chamber communication hole 233 may beconstructed to communicate with the inside of the second chamber 39.Further, the second chamber communication hole 233 and thereceiving-groove communication hole 321 may be connected to each otherwhen fixing the front panel 211 and the front frame 32 are coupled toeach other via fasteners such as bolts.

Further, the front panel 211 may include a second outside-air intakehole 323 defined therein which communicates with the first outside-airintake hole 24. When the first outside-air intake hole 24 is disposedunder the receiving groove 231, the second outside-air intake hole 323may be disposed under the receiving-groove communication hole 321. Theoutside-air duct 76 disposed in the air supply unit is configured toconnect the second outside-air intake hole 323 to the intake duct 71 orthe connection duct 74.

The first outside-air intake hole 24 and the second outside-air intakehole 323 may be connected to each other via an outside-air guide 95. Asshown in FIG. 9 , the outside-air guide 95 may include a guide body 951comprising one end fixed to the front panel 211 and the other end fixedto the front frame 32, and a guide through-hole 953 extending throughthe guide body 951 to connect the two outside-air intake holes 24 and323 to each other. The guide body 951 may refer to means for maintaininga spacing between the front panel 211 and the front frame 32.

When the door 4 may select a position of the hinges 52 and 58 accordingto the user's choice, a first panel through-hole 251 and a second panelthrough-hole 253 may be defined in the front panel 211, and a firstframe through-hole 325 and a second frame through-hole 327 may bedefined in the front frame 32, as shown in FIG. 7 .

The first panel through-hole 251 is defined in the front panel 211 andis adjacent to the first second-hinge mounting portion 271. The secondpanel through-hole 253 is defined in the front panel 211 and is adjacentto the second second-hinge mounting portion 273.

The first frame through-hole 325 may be connected to the first panelthrough-hole 251 via a first wire guide 96. The second framethrough-hole 327 may be connected to the second panel through-hole 253via a second wire guide 97. The first wire guide 96 and the second wireguide 97 may be embodied as pipes disposed between the front panel 211and the front frame 32, and connecting the panel through-holes 251 and253 to the frame through-holes 325 and 327 to each other, respectively.

Thus, when the hinges 52 and 58 are fixed to a left side of the frontpanel 211, the first control wire L11 and the control panel connectionwire L13 will be connected to each other while being inserted into thefirst panel through-hole 251, the first wire guide 96, and the firstframe through-hole 325. Conversely, when the hinges 52 and 58 are fixedto a right side of the front panel 211, the first control wire L11 andthe control panel connection wire L13 will be connected to each otherwhile being inserted into the second panel through-hole 253, the secondwire guide 97, and the second frame through-hole 327.

When the door is constructed to be installed only on one of the left andright sides of the front panel 211, only one panel through-hole, oneframe through-hole, and one wire guide may be present.

In one example, as shown in FIG. 9 , in order to prevent the firstsecond-hinge bracket 54 and the second second-hinge bracket 56 frominterfering with the first wire guide 96 and second wire guide 97, afirst wire guide through-hole 545 may be defined in the firstsecond-hinge bracket 54, and a second wire guide through-hole 565 may bedefined in the second second-hinge bracket 56. The second wire guidethrough-hole 565 may be embodied as a hole passing through the secondfront-panel fixing plate 561. The first wire guide through-hole 545 maybe embodied as a hole passing through the first front-panel fixing plate541.

When the door is configured to be installed only on one of the left andright sides of the front panel 211, only one panel through-hole, oneframe through-hole, and one wire guide may be present.

As shown in FIG. 14 , the top frame 31 may include a first fixing hole311, a second fixing hole 313, and a supply pipe through-hole 317defined therein. The intake duct 71 is detachably connected to the firstfixing hole 311. The discharge duct 72 is detachably connected to thesecond fixing hole 313. The supply pipe 843 of the steam sprayer 84 isinserted into the supply pipe through-hole 317.

The first fixing hole 311 and the first chamber through-hole 297 adefined in the bottom surface of the first chamber are connected to eachother via a first flow channel defining portion 93. The second fixinghole 313 and the second chamber through-hole 297 b are connected to eachother via a second flow channel defining portion 94.

The first flow channel defining portion 93 may be configured to includea first flow channel body 931 constructed to maintain a spacing betweenthe bottom surface 297 of the first chamber and the top frame 31, and afirst body through-hole 933 extending through the first flow channelbody 931 for connecting the first chamber through-hole 297 a and thefirst fixing hole 311 to each other. The second flow channel definingportion 94 may be configured to include a second flow channel body 941constructed to maintain a spacing between the bottom surface 297 of thefirst chamber and the top frame 31, and a second body through-hole 943extending through the second flow channel body 941 for connecting thesecond chamber through-hole 297 b and the second fixing hole 313 to eachother.

The supply pipe through-hole 317 may be constructed to communicate withreceiving means 315 formed by protruding the top frame 31 toward thebottom surface 297 of the first chamber. In this case, the receivingmeans 315 will be disposed at a top of the second chamber 39.

A free end of the supply pipe 843 may preferably include a length thatthe free end thereof is not exposed to an outside of the receiving means315. When manufacturing the laundry treating apparatus 100, a devicenecessary for manufacturing the laundry treating apparatus may beinserted inside the second chamber 39. This is because when a length ofthe free end of the supply pipe 843 is larger than a height of thereceiving means 315 (length thereof in a Y-axis direction), the supplypipe 843 may be damaged during manufacture of the laundry treatingapparatus.

In rear of the top frame 31, a second bottom panel fastener 319 benttoward the chamber bottom surface 298 may be disposed. A bottom of thesecond rear panel 14 b may be fixed to the second bottom panel fastener319 via a bolt.

The first side frame 34 and the first side panel 112 of the cabinet arekept to be spaced from each other via a first spacer 343 and 347. Thesecond side frame 36 and the second side panel 113 are kept to be spacedfrom each other via a second spacer 363 and 367.

The first spacer includes a first rear-panel supporting portion 343extending from a rear end of the first side frame 34 toward the firstside panel 112, and a first bottom-panel supporting portion 347extending from a bottom of the first side frame 34 toward the first sidepanel 112. The second spacer includes a second rear-panel supportingportion 363 extending from a rear end of the second side frame 36 towardthe second side panel 113, and a second bottom-panel supporting portion367 extending from a bottom of the second side frame 36 toward thesecond side panel 113.

The first rear-panel supporting portion 343 and the first bottom-panelsupporting portion 347 may be connected to each other to form anL-shape. The second rear-panel supporting portion 363 and the secondbottom-panel supporting portion 367 may be connected to each other toform an L shape. This is intended to increase a strength of the firstside frame 34 and the second side frame 36.

The second rear panel 14 b may be detachably coupled to the firstrear-panel supporting portion 343 and the second rear-panel supportingportion 363. The second bottom panel 16 b may be detachably coupled tothe first bottom-panel supporting portion 347 and the secondbottom-panel supporting portion 367.

A first frame rear fastener 344 is disposed on the first rear-panelsupporting portion 343. A first frame bottom fastener 349 is disposed onthe first bottom-panel supporting portion 347. The first frame rearfastener 344 may be formed by bending a free end of the first rear-panelsupporting portion 343 toward the front frame 32. The first frame bottomfastener 349 may be formed by bending a free end of the firstbottom-panel supporting portion 347 towards the top frame 31.

The first frame rear fastener 344 may be coupled to the first rearfastener 116 b disposed on the first side panel 112. The first framebottom fastener 349 may be coupled to the first bottom fastener 116 c ofthe first side panel.

A second frame rear fastener 364 is disposed on the second rear-panelsupporting portion 363. The second frame bottom fastener 369 is disposedon the second bottom-panel supporting portion 367. The second frame rearfastener 364 may be formed by bending a free end of the secondrear-panel supporting portion 363 toward the front frame 32. The secondframe bottom fastener 369 may be formed by bending a free end of thesecond bottom-panel supporting portion 367 towards the top frame 31.

The second frame rear fastener 364 may be coupled to the second rearfastener 118 b of the first side panel 112. The second frame bottomfastener 369 may be coupled to the second bottom fastener 118 c of thefirst side panel.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 15 to FIG. 17 , an assembly process ofthe laundry treating apparatus comprising the above-described structurewill be described.

As shown in FIG. 15 , for assembly of the laundry treating apparatus 100according to the present disclosure, an assembly worker first assemblesthe cabinet body 11 and the first chamber defining structure 2 with eachother. That is, the assembly worker couples the top front-panel fastener213 disposed on the front panel 211 to the front top-panel fastener 114disposed on the cabinet body 11, and couples the first front-panelfastener 215 and the second front-panel fastener 217 to the first frontfastener 116 a and the second front fastener 118 a respectively, suchthat the front panel 211 is coupled to the cabinet body 11

When the top and both sides of the front panel 211 are coupled to thetop panel and both side panels of the cabinet body 11, respectively, theassembly worker couples the first bottom panel 16 a to the cabinet body11 and the front panel 211.

As shown in FIG. 16 , the first bottom panel 16 a is fixed to thecabinet body 11 when the first bottom-panel fastener 167 and the secondbottom-panel fastener 169 disposed on both side surfaces of the panelbody 161, respectively are coupled to the first bottom fastener 116 cand the second bottom fastener 118 c disposed on the bottom surfaces ofthe side panels 112 and 113, respectively.

In one example, in front of the panel body 161, the front bottom-panelfastener 162 is disposed which is coupled to the bottom front-panelfastener 219 disposed on a bottom of the front panel 211. Thus, thefirst bottom panel 16 a is fixed to a bottom of the front panel 211 viathe front bottom-panel fastener 162 and the bottom front-panel fastener219 (see FIG. 9 ).

When the first bottom panel 16 a is fixed to the bottom of the frontpanel 211, the assembly worker may assemble the second chamber definingstructure 3 with the cabinet body 11.

As shown in FIG. 16 , the assembly worker couples the first frame rearfastener 344 disposed on the rear surface of the second chamber definingstructure 3 to the first rear fastener 116 b defined on the rear surfaceof the first side panel, and couples the second frame rear fastener 364disposed on the rear surface of the second chamber defining structure 3to the second rear fastener 118 b defined on the rear surface of thesecond side panel.

Further, the assembly worker may couple the first frame bottom fastener349 and the second frame bottom fastener 369 disposed on the bottomsurface of the second chamber defining structure 3 to the first bottomfastener 116 c and the second bottom fastener 118 c disposed on thebottom surfaces of the side panels, respectively.

When the cabinet body 11, the first chamber defining structure 2, thesecond chamber defining structure 3, and the bottom panel 16 areassembled with each other, the assembly worker fixes the second bottompanel 16 b to the bottom surface of the second chamber definingstructure 3. The second bottom panel 16 b may be fixed to the firstbottom-panel supporting portion 347 and the second bottom-panelsupporting portion 367 of the second chamber defining structure viabolts or the like.

The assembly worker may then couple the first rear panel 14 a to thecabinet body 11. As shown in FIG. 15 , the first rear panel 14 a may becoupled to the cabinet body 11 via the top rear-panel fastener 145, thefirst rear-panel fastener 147, and the second rear-panel fastener 149.

That is, when the top rear-panel fastener 145 is coupled to the reartop-panel fastener 115 of the cabinet body, the first rear-panelfastener 147 is coupled to the first rear fastener 116 b, and the secondrear-panel fastener 149 is coupled to the second rear fastener 118 b,the first rear panel 14 a will be fixed to the cabinet body 11. Further,the bottom of the first rear panel 14 a is fixed to the second bottompanel fastener 319 disposed on the rear surface of the top frame 31.

When the assembly of the first rear panel 14 a is completed, theassembly worker fixes the second rear panel 14 b to the second chamberdefining structure 3. As shown in FIG. 16 , the second rear panel 14 bmay be fixed to the first rear-panel supporting portion 343 and thesecond rear-panel supporting portion 363 via bolts.

As shown in FIG. 15 , in the above-described process, a top space S1 isdefined between the top panel 111 and the chamber top surface 291. Afirst side space S2 is defined between the first side panel 112 and thefirst chamber side surface 293. A second side space S3 is definedbetween the second side panel 113 and the second chamber side surface2395. A rear space S4 is defined between the first rear panel 14 a andchamber rear surface 298. The top space S1, the first side space S2, thesecond side space S3, and the rear space S4 communicate with each other.

As shown in FIG. 16 , a first connection space S5 connected to the firstside space S2 is defined between the first side panel 112 and the firstside frame 32. A second connection space S6 connected to the second sidespace is defined between the second side panel 113 and the second sideframe 36. A front space S7 is defined between the front panel 11 and thefront frame 31.

Further, a third connection space S8 (see FIG. 3 ) is defined by the topframe 31, the chamber bottom surface 297 of the first chamber, the firstside panel 112, the second side panel 113, and the first rear panel 14a. A front surface of the third connection space S8 is connected to thefront space S7. Both side surfaces of the third connection space S8 areconnected to the first connection space S5 and the second connectionspace S6, respectively. A rear surface of the third connection space S8is connected to the rear space S4.

The first connection space S5, the second connection space S6, the thirdconnection space, and the front space S7 communicate with each other.Therefore, the spaces S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, and S8 defined betweenthe cabinet 1, the first chamber 29 and the second chamber definingstructure 3 may be connected to each other to form a single space.

In order to supply foam plastic to the foam spaces S1, S2, S3, S4, S5,S6, S7, and S8, a foam plastic inlet may be defined in the first rearpanel 14 a. As shown in FIG. 17 , the foam plastic inlet may include afirst foam plastic inlet 141 extending through the first rear panel 14 aand communicating with the first side space S2, and a second foamplastic inlet 142 extending through the first rear panel 14 a andcommunicating with the second side space S3.

Each of the first foam plastic inlet 141 and the second foam plasticinlet 142 may be embodied as a through-hole connected to an edge of thefirst rear panel 14 a. The foam plastic injected through the first foamplastic inlet 141 and the second foam plastic inlet 142 may flow alongthe first chamber side surface 293 and second chamber side surface 295 aand toward the bottom of the first side space S2 and the second sidespace S3. That is, a projection surface of the first rear panel 14 aonto which the chamber rear surface 298 projects may be defined tointerfere with the first foam plastic inlet 141 and the second foamplastic inlet 142.

The foam plastic means a synthetic resin comprising a porous structure.The porous structure of the synthetic resin may be achieved using afoaming agent. The foam plastic may be a functional composite materialthat imparts light weight, cushioning, sound insulation, thermalinsulation, etc. The synthetic resin used as a raw material for the foamplastic may be one of polyurethane, polystyrene, polyolefin andpolyolefin. In addition to the synthetic resins described above,phenolic resins, polyvinyl chloride, urea resins, silicone, polyimideand melamine resin may be used for the foam plastic.

In order to convert polyurethane into a foam form, the foaming agentincorporated into the polyurethane resin may be classified into achemical foaming agent and a physical foaming agent. The chemicalfoaming agent forms bubbles via chemical reactions. The physical foamingagent forms bubbles via change in a physical state of a compressed gasor a phase change of liquid (evaporation).

A multiple of gas discharge holes 143 may be further defined in thefirst rear panel 14 a. When a liquid foam plastic is injected into thespaces S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, and S8 through the first foam plasticinlet 141 and the second foam plastic inlet 142, the spaces will befilled with gas generated from a process of solidifying the foamplastic. The gas discharge hole 143 may refer to means for dischargingthe air and the gas from the spaces to the outside of the cabinet 1.According to the present disclosure, the gas discharge hole 143 mayprevent the cabinet body 11 from being expanded or destroyed by the gas.A diameter of the gas discharge hole 143 is preferably set to be smallerthan a diameter of each of the foam plastic inlets 141 and 142. This isintended to minimize leakage of the foam plastic through the gasdischarge holes.

In one example, the holes defined in a top surface of the first chamber29 and the holes defined in the support frame 61 are connected to eachother via the first support body 91 and the second support body 92.Thus, the foam plastic supplied to the top space S1 will not leak intoan inside of the first chamber 29 or out of the cabinet 1.

Further, since the foam plastic inserted into the top space S1 willserve to secure the first hinge bracket 51 inside the cabinet 1, theapparatus according to the present disclosure may prevent damage to thefirst chamber defining structure 2 due to the load of the door body 41.

The holes defined in the first chamber 29 and the holes defined in thesecond chamber 39 are connected to each other via the first flow channeldefining portion 93, the second flow channel defining portion 94, andthe spray body 841. Thus, the foam plastic injected into the thirdconnection space S8 will not leak into the first chamber 29 or thesecond chamber 39.

Further, the holes defined in the front panel 211 and the holes definedin the front frame 32 are connected to each other via the outside-airguide 95 and the wire guides 96 and 97. Thus, the foam plastic injectedinto the front space S7 will not leak into the second chamber 39 and outof the cabinet 1.

Since the foam plastic injected into the front space S7 will serve tosecure the second hinge brackets 54 and 56 inside the cabinet 1, theapparatus according to the present disclosure may prevent damage to thefirst chamber defining structure 2 due to the load of the door body 41.

As shown in FIG. 2 , when the foam plastic is solidified inside the foamspaces S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, and S8, the top panel 111 and thechamber top surface 291 are fixed to each other via the foam plastic,and the first side panel 112 and the second side panel 113 are fixed tothe first chamber side surface 293 and the second chamber side surface295, respectively, and the first rear panel 14 a is fixed to the chamberrear surface 298. Further, the chamber bottom surface 297 is fixed tothe top frame 31, the front panel 211 is fixed to the front frame 32,and the first side frame 34 and the second side frame 36 are fixed tothe first side panel 112 and the second side panel 113, respectively.

In the laundry treating apparatus 100 according to the presentdisclosure, the foam spaces S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, and S8 definedbetween the cabinet 1, the first chamber defining structure 2, and thesecond chamber defining structure 3 are filled with the foam plastic,such that the vibration of the cabinet 1 when the air supply unit 7, themoisture supply unit 8 and the second support 6 b are operating may beminimized.

Further, in the laundry treating apparatus 100 according to the presentdisclosure, because a thermal insulator F as the foam plastic insertedinto the foam spaces surrounds the first chamber 29, thereby to minimizeloss of heat energy supplied to the first chamber 29.

As long as the foam plastic inserted into the foam spaces S1, S2, S3,S4, S5, S6, S7, and S8 defined between the cabinet 1, the first chamberdefining structure 2, and the second chamber defining structure 3 isprevented from leakage to an outside of the cabinet, a couplingstructures of the fasteners may be implemented in various ways.

FIG. 15 to FIG. 17 show an example where the fasteners are press-fittedwith each other.

As shown in FIG. 15 , the top front-panel fastener 213 may bepress-fitted into the front top-panel fastener 114. the firstfront-panel fastener 215 may be press-fitted into the first frontfastener 116 a. The second front-panel fastener 217 may be press-fittedinto the second front fastener 118 a.

Each of the top front-panel fastener 213, the first front-panel fastener215, and the second front-panel fastener 217 may be embodied as afastening plate protruding from each corner of the front panel. Eachfastening plate disposed on the front panel may include a shapecomprising a plurality of bending points.

The front top-panel fastener 114 may include a front surface definingportion that is bent from a front edge of the top panel 111 toward thelaundry inlet 22 to define a portion of a front surface of the cabinet,a bent portion bent from a free end of the front surface definingportion toward the top panel 111, and a groove defining portion that isbent from a free end of the bent portion toward the chamber top surface291 to define a groove into which the top front-panel fastener 213 isinserted.

The first front fastener 116 a may include a front surface definingportion that is bent from a front edge of the first side panel 112toward the laundry inlet 22 to define a portion of the front surface ofthe cabinet 1, a bent portion bent from a free end of the front surfacedefining portion toward the first side panel 112, and a groove definingportion that is bent from a free end of the bent portion toward thefirst chamber side surface 293 to define a groove into which the firstfront-panel fastener 215 is inserted.

The second front fastener 118 a may include a front surface definingportion that is bent from a front edge of the second side panel 113toward the laundry inlet 22 to define a portion of the front surface ofthe cabinet 1, a bent portion bent from a free end of the front surfacedefining portion toward the second side panel 113, and a groove definingportion bent from a free end of the bent portion toward the secondchamber side surface 295 to define a groove into which the secondfront-panel fastener 217 is inserted.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the bottom front-panel fastener 219 may beconstructed to be press-fitted into the front bottom-panel fastener 162.In this case, the bottom front-panel fastener 219 is embodied as afastening plate extending from a bottom of the front panel 211, andcomprising a plurality of bending points. The front bottom-panelfastener 162 may be constructed to define a groove into which the bottomfront-panel fastener 219 is inserted.

That is, the front bottom-panel fastener 162 may include a front surfacedefining portion that is bent from a front edge of the panel body 161toward the front panel 211 to define a portion of the front surface ofthe cabinet, a bent portion bent from a free end of the front surfacedefining portion toward the panel body 161, and a groove definingportion that is bent from an edge of the bent portion toward the frontpanel 211 to define a groove into which the bottom front-panel fastener219 is inserted.

As shown in FIG. 15 , the top rear-panel fastener 145, the firstrear-panel fastener 147 and the second rear-panel fastener 149 disposedon the first rear panel 14 a may be constructed to be press-fitted intothe rear top-panel fastener 115, the first rear fastener 116 b, and thesecond rear fastener 118 b, respectively.

The top rear-panel fastener 145 may be embodied as a fastening platebent from a top of the first rear panel 14 a toward the chamber rearsurface 298. The first rear-panel fastener 147 and the second rear-panelfastener 149 may be embodied as fastening plates bent from left andright ends of the first rear panel 14 a toward the chamber rear surface298, respectively. The fastening plate disposed on each rear panel mayinclude a plurality of bending points.

The rear top-panel fastener 115 may include a rear surface definingportion formed by bending a rear edge of the top panel toward the bottompanel 16 to define a portion of the rear surface of the cabinet 1, abent portion bent from a free end of the rear surface defining portiontoward the chamber rear surface, and a groove defining portion that isbent from a free end of the bent portion toward the first rear panel 14a to define a groove into which the top rear-panel fastener 145 isinserted.

The first rear fastener 116 b may include a rear surface definingportion formed by bending a rear edge of the first side panel 112 towardthe second side panel 113 to define a portion of the rear surface ofcabinet 1, a bent portion bent from a free end of the rear surfacedefining portion toward the front surface of the cabinet, and a groovedefining portion that is bent from a free end of the bent portion towardthe first rear panel 14 a to define a groove into which the firstrear-panel fastener 147 is inserted.

The second rear fastener 118 b may include a rear surface definingportion formed by bending a rear edge of the second side panel 113toward the first side panel 112 to define a portion of the rear surfaceof cabinet 1, a bent portion bent from a free end of the rear surfacedefining portion toward the front surface of the cabinet, and a groovedefining portion that is bent from a free end of the bent portion towardthe first rear panel 14 a to define a groove into which the secondrear-panel fastener 149 is inserted.

As shown in FIG. 16 , the first bottom-panel fastener 167 and the secondbottom-panel fastener 169 disposed on opposite sides of the first bottompanel 16 a, respectively may be constructed to be press-fitted into thefirst bottom fastener 116 c and second bottom fastener 118 c,respectively.

The first bottom-panel fastener 167 may be embodied as a fastening platebent upward from one end of the panel body 161. The second bottom-panelfastener 169 may be embodied as a fastening plate bent upward from theother end of the panel body 161. Each fastening plate disposed on thefirst bottom panel may include a plurality of bending points.

The first bottom fastener 116 c may include a bottom surface definingportion formed by bending a bottom of the first side panel 112 towardthe second side panel 113 to define a portion of the bottom surface ofthe cabinet, a bent portion bent from a free end of the bottom surfacedefining portion toward the top panel 111, and a groove defining portionthat is bent from a free end of the bent portion toward the panel body161 to define a groove into which the first bottom-panel fastener 167 isforcibly fitted

The second bottom fastener 118 c may include a bottom surface definingportion formed by bending a bottom of the second side panel 113 towardthe first side panel 112 to define a portion of the bottom surface ofthe cabinet, a bent portion bent from a free end of the bottom surfacedefining portion toward the top panel 111, and a groove defining portionthat is bent from a free end of the bent portion toward the panel body161 to define a groove into which the second bottom-panel fastener 169is forcibly fitted.

In one example, the first frame bottom fastener 349 disposed on thefirst side frame 34 and the second frame bottom fastener 369 disposed onthe second side frame 36 may be constructed to be press-fitted into thesecond bottom fastener 116 c and the second bottom fastener 118 c,respectively. The first frame bottom fastener 349 may be embodied as afastening plate formed by bending a free end of the first bottom-panelsupporting portion 347 toward the first bottom fastener 116 c. Thesecond frame bottom fastener 369 may be embodied as a fastening plateformed by bending a free end of the second bottom-panel supportingportion 367 toward the second bottom fastener 118 c. Each fasteningplate disposed on a bottom surface of the second chamber definingstructure may include a plurality of bending points.

The first frame rear fastener 344 and second frame rear fastener 364 maybe constructed to be press-fitted into to the first bottom fastener 116c and the second bottom fastener 118 c, respectively. The first framerear fastener 344 may be embodied as a fastening plate formed by bendinga free end of the first rear-panel supporting portion 343 toward thefirst rear fastener 116 b. The second frame rear fastener 364 may beembodied as a fastening plate formed by bending a free end of the secondrear-panel supporting portion 363 toward the second rear fastener 118 b.Each fastening plate disposed on a rear surface of the second chamberdefining structure may include a plurality of bending points.

As shown in FIG. 7 , the laundry treating apparatus 100 according to thepresent disclosure may further include a first reinforcing frame 112 aand a second reinforcing frame 113 a respectively disposed in a spacedefined between the first side frame 34 and the first side panel 112,and a space defined between the second side frame 36 and the first sidepanel 113

A thickness of the first connection space S5 (see FIG. 16 ) definedbetween the first side frame 34 and the first side panel 112 may besmaller than a thickness of the second space S2 (refer to FIG. 15 )defined between the first chamber side surface 293 and the first sidepanel 112. The first reinforcing frame 112 a may refer to means forincreasing a strength of the first connection space S5.

Further, a thickness of the second connection space S6 (see FIG. 16 )defined between the second side frame 36 and the second side panel 113may be smaller than that of the third space S3 defined between thesecond chamber side surface 295 and the second side panel 113.Therefore, the second reinforcing frame 113 a may refer to means forincreasing a strength of the second connection space S6.

The first reinforcing frame 112 a may be embodied as an L-shaped barfixed to a rear corner of a bottom of the first side panel 112. Thesecond reinforcing frame 113 a may be embodied as an L-shaped bar fixedto a rear corner of a bottom of the second side panel 113.

Furthermore, in order to increase a strength of the third connectionspace S8 (see FIG. 3 ) defined between the chamber bottom surface 297and the top frame 31, a plurality of ribs may be further disposed in thesecond chamber defining structure 3.

As shown in FIG. 14 , the ribs may include a first top rib 381 and asecond top rib 383 disposed on opposite sides of the top frame 31,respectively. The first top rib 381 may be embodied as a plateprotruding from a top of the first side frame 34 toward the chamberbottom surface 297. The second top rib 383 may be embodied as a plateextending from a top of the second side frame 36 toward the chamberbottom surface 297.

Further, the ribs may further include a first side rib 385 and a secondside rib 387 disposed on both sides of the front frame 32, respectively.The first side rib 385 may be embodied as a plate protruding from afront end of the first side frame 34 toward the front panel 211. Thesecond front rib 387 may be embodied as a plate extending from a frontend of the second side frame 36 toward the front panel 211.

When the foam plastic flowing into the third connection space S8 issolidified, the aforementioned ribs 381, 383, 385, and 387 will increasea coupling force between the chamber bottom surface 297 and the secondchamber defining structure 3. Thus, according to the present disclosure,the ribs may increase a strength of the third connection space.

Further, the ribs 381, 383, 385, and 387 will also serve to guide aliquid foam plastic flowing into the rear space S4 to the thirdconnection space S8 and the front space S7.

As shown in FIG. 8 , in order to prevent inflow of contaminants such aswater into the control unit 781, the receiving body 78 may furtherinclude a control unit housing 783 which provides a space foraccommodating therein the control unit 781, and has a shape open towardthe second rear panel 14 a.

The present disclosure may be modified and embodied in various forms,and a scope of a right thereof is not limited to the above-describedembodiments. Therefore, when the modified embodiment includes elementsof following claims, the modified embodiment should be considered tobelong to a scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A laundry treating apparatus comprising: acabinet comprising: a first side panel and a second side panel oppositeto each other; a top panel and a bottom panel connecting the first sidepanel and the second side panel to each other, and defining top andbottom surfaces of the cabinet, respectively; and a rear panelconnecting the first side panel and the second side panel to each other,and defining a rear surface of the cabinet; a first base comprising: afront panel fixed to the first side panel, the second side panel, thetop panel, and the bottom panel, and defining a front surface of thecabinet; and a laundry inlet extending through the front panel; a firstchamber fixed to the front panel and disposed inside the cabinet,wherein the first chamber has a laundry receiving space defined thereincommunicating with the laundry inlet; a second base comprising: a frontframe disposed between the front panel and the rear panel; a top frameextending from the front frame toward the rear panel, and spaced apartfrom a bottom surface of the first chamber; a first side frame spacedapart from the first side panel; and a second side frame spaced apartfrom the second side panel; a second chamber defined by the front frame,the top frame, the first side frame, the second side frame, the bottompanel, and the rear panel; a supply unit disposed inside the secondchamber to supply at least one of air or moisture to the first chamber;a door rotatably coupled to the cabinet or the front panel to open andclose the laundry inlet; and a thermal insulator including a foamplastic inserted into a foam space defined between the cabinet, thefirst base, the first chamber, and the second base.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the foam space includes: a space defined between thefirst chamber and the top panel; a space defined between the firstchamber and the first side panel; a space defined between the firstchamber and the second side panel; a space defined between the firstchamber and the rear panel; a space defined between the first chamberand the top frame; a space defined between the front panel and the frontframe; a space defined between the first side frame and the first sidepanel; and a space defined between the second side frame and the secondside panel.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the foam plasticincludes one of polyurethane, polystyrene, and polyolefin.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a firstchamber through-hole and a second chamber through-hole extending throughthe bottom surface of the first chamber; a first fixing hole and asecond fixing hole extending through the top frame; a first flow channeldefining portion connecting the first chamber through-hole and the firstfixing hole to each other; and a second flow channel defining portionconnecting the second chamber through-hole and the second fixing hole toeach other, wherein the supply unit includes: a circulation ductdisposed inside the second chamber to connect the first fixing hole andthe second fixing hole to each other; a first heat exchanger fordehumidifying air introduced into the circulation duct; a second heatexchanger disposed inside the circulation duct to heat air passingthrough the first heat exchanger; and a fan for moving air introducedinto the first fixing hole to the second fixing hole.
 5. The apparatusof claim 4, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a receiving grooverecessed in the front panel toward the front frame; a second chambercommunication hole extending through the receiving groove; areceiving-groove communication hole extending through the front frameand connected to the second chamber communication hole; a drainage tankcomprising a water storage space defined therein and removably receivedin the receiving groove; a drainage tank through-hole extending throughthe drainage tank and communicating with the second chambercommunication hole; a first discharge pipe coupled to the drainage tankthrough-hole when the drainage tank is inserted into the receivinggroove, wherein the first discharge pipe is separated from the drainagetank through-hole when the drainage tank is withdrawn out of thereceiving groove; and a discharge pump for supplying condensate waterdischarged from the first heat exchanger to the first discharge pipe. 6.The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first flow channel definingportion includes: a first flow channel body constructed to maintain aspacing between the bottom surface of the first chamber and the topframe; and a first body through-hole extending through the first flowchannel body and connecting the first chamber through-hole and the firstfixing hole to each other, wherein the second flow channel definingportion includes: a second flow channel body constructed to maintain aspacing between the bottom surface of the first chamber and the topframe; and a second body through-hole extending through the second flowchannel body and connecting the second chamber through-hole and thesecond fixing hole to each other.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4, whereinthe apparatus further comprises: a first outside-air intake hole definedbelow the laundry inlet, and extending through the front panel; a secondoutside-air intake hole extending through the front frame; anoutside-air guide connecting the first outside-air intake hole and thesecond outside-air intake hole to each other; and an outside-air ductconnecting the second outside-air intake hole and the circulation ductto each other.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the circulation ductincludes: an intake duct connected to the first fixing hole; a dischargeduct connected to the second fixing hole; a connection duct for guidingair introduced into the intake duct and air supplied from theoutside-air duct to the discharge duct; a first valve for opening andclosing the intake duct; and a second valve for opening and closing theoutside-air duct.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the outside-airguide includes: a guide body comprising one end fixed to the front paneland the other end fixed to the front frame to maintain a spacing betweenthe front panel and the front frame; and a guide through-hole extendingthrough the guide body and connecting the first outside-air intake holeand the second outside-air intake hole to each other.
 10. The apparatusof claim 9, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a receiving grooverecessed in the front panel toward the front frame; a second chambercommunication hole communicating with the receiving groove; areceiving-groove communication hole extending through the front frame,and communicating with the second chamber communication hole; a watersupply tank comprising a water storage space defined therein andremovably received in the receiving groove; a water supply tankthrough-hole extending through the water supply tank and communicatingwith the second chamber communication hole; a first supply pipe coupledto the water supply tank through-hole when the water supply tank isinserted into the receiving groove, wherein the first supply pipe isseparated from the water supply tank through-hole when the water supplytank is withdrawn out of the receiving groove; and a supply pump formoving water introduced into the first supply pipe to a second supplypipe connected to the steam generator.
 11. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the apparatus further comprises: a chamber through-holeextending through the bottom surface of the first chamber; a supply pipethrough-hole extending through the top frame, wherein the supply unitincludes: a steam generator installed inside the second chamber togenerate steam; a spray body comprising a spray hole defined thereincommunicating with the chamber through-hole and a supply pipe insertedin the supply pipe through-hole; and a connection pipe connecting thesteam generator and the supply pipe to each other.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a control panel fixedto the door, wherein the control panel includes at least one of adisplay for displaying a control command or an input interface forreceiving a control command; a control unit disposed inside the secondchamber; a panel through-hole extending through the front panel; a framethrough-hole extending through the front frame; and a wire guide forconnecting the panel through-hole and the frame through-hole to eachother, wherein a wire connecting the control panel and the control unitto each other is inserted into the wire guide.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a control panel fixedto the door, wherein the control panel includes at least one of adisplay for displaying a control command or an input interface forreceiving a control command; a control unit disposed inside the secondchamber; a first hinge for connecting the door to a portion of the frontpanel disposed above the first chamber; a second hinge for connectingthe door to a portion of the front panel disposed below the firstchamber; a first first-hinge mounting portion and a second first-hingemounting portion defined in a left top and a right top of the frontpanel, respectively; a first second-hinge mounting portion and a secondsecond-hinge mounting portion defined in a left bottom and a rightbottom of the front panel, respectively; a first panel through-holedefined below the first second-hinge mounting portion; a second panelthrough-hole defined below the second second-hinge mounting portion; afirst frame through-hole extending through the front frame; a secondframe through-hole extending through the front frame; a first wire guidefor connecting the first panel through-hole and the first framethrough-hole to each other, wherein a wire for connecting the controlpanel and the control unit to each other is inserted into the first wireguide; and a second wire guide for connecting the second panelthrough-hole and the second frame through-hole to each other, wherein awire for connecting the control panel and the control unit to each otheris inserted into the second wire guide.
 14. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the apparatus further comprises: a support frame fixed to thetop panel and disposed outside the first chamber; a first support framethrough-hole and a second support frame through-hole extending throughthe support frame; a first bar through-hole extending through a topsurface of the first chamber and disposed below the first support framethrough-hole; a second bar through-hole extending through a top surfaceof the first chamber and disposed below the second support framethrough-hole; a first support body comprising a pipe shape, andconnecting the first support frame through-hole and the first barthrough-hole to each other, and maintaining a spacing between thesupport frame and the first chamber; a second support body comprising apipe shape, and connecting the second support frame through-hole and thesecond bar through-hole to each other, and maintaining a spacing betweenthe support frame and the first chamber; a first connector comprisingone end fixed to the support frame, and the other end inserted into thefirst support body and disposed inside the first chamber; a secondconnector comprising one end fixed to the support frame, and the otherend inserted into the second support body and disposed inside the firstchamber; and a support bar comprising one end fixed to the firstconnector, and the other end fixed to the second connector andsupporting laundry.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatusfurther comprises: a driving unit disposed on the support frame toenable the support bar to reciprocate along a width direction of thefirst chamber; a control unit disposed inside the second chamber; and asupport frame guide disposed on the support frame to guide a wireconnecting the driving unit and the control unit to each other toward aspace defined between the first chamber and the cabinet.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the bottom panel includes: a first bottompanel comprising a front surface fixed to the front panel, a rearsurface fixed to the front frame, and both side surfaces fixed to thefirst side panel and the second side panel, respectively; a secondbottom panel comprising a front surface connected to a rear surface ofthe first bottom panel, and both side surfaces fixed to the first sidesurface and the second side surface, respectively, wherein the secondbottom panel is disposed below the second base.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a first frontfastener disposed on the first side panel and facing toward the frontpanel; a second front fastener disposed on the second side panel andfacing toward the front panel; a front top-panel fastener disposed onthe top panel and facing toward the front panel; a front bottom-panelfastener disposed on the first bottom panel and facing toward the frontpanel; a first front-panel fastener disposed on an edge of the frontpanel and press-fitted with the first front fastener; a secondfront-panel fastener disposed on an edge of the front panel andpress-fitted with the second front fastener; a top front-panel fastenerdisposed on an edge of the front panel and press-fitted with the fronttop-panel fastener; and a bottom front-panel fastener disposed on anedge of the front panel and press-fitted with the front bottom-panelfastener.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the rear panelincludes: a first rear panel coupled to the first side panel, the secondside panel, the top panel, and a rear surface of the top frame; and asecond rear panel detachably coupled to a rear surface of the first sideframe and a rear surface of the second side frame, wherein the secondrear panel is disposed below the first rear panel.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 18, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a rear top-panelfastener disposed on the top panel and facing toward the rear panel; afirst rear fastener and a first bottom fastener disposed on the firstside panel and facing toward the rear panel and the bottom panel,respectively; a second rear fastener and a second bottom fastenerdisposed on the second side panel and facing toward the rear panel andthe bottom panel, respectively; a top rear-panel fastener disposed on anedge of the first rear panel and press-fitted with the rear top-panelfastener; a first rear-panel fastener disposed on an edge of the firstrear panel and press-fitted with the first rear fastener; a secondrear-panel fastener disposed on an edge of the first rear panel andpress-fitted with the second rear fastener; a first frame rear fastenerdisposed in rear of the first side frame and press-fitted with the firstrear fastener; a first frame bottom fastener disposed below the firstside frame and press-fitted with the first bottom fastener; a secondframe rear fastener disposed in rear of the second side frame andpress-fitted with the second rear fastener; and a second frame bottomfastener disposed below the second side frame and press-fitted with thesecond bottom fastener.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein theapparatus further comprises a foam plastic inlet extending through thefirst rear panel, wherein the foam plastic is injected through the foamplastic inlet.